Position adjustment device with deformation type damper means

ABSTRACT

A spring-biased mechanical positioning device of the type providing multiple positioning of an extensible-retractable member and compression spring means to effect the return of such member incorporates therewith a special energy absorbing deformation-type damper means to overcome an inherent rapid action return movement from the compression spring means provided in the device. The energy absorbing damper portion embodies the use of a deformable, elastomeric surface on an elongated member and a slidable encompassing ring member with internal tapered ball holding recess means such that the ball means therein can roll freely for one direction of rectilinear movement and, conversely, can depress the ball means into the surface of the elongated member to cause a wave-form resisting force for that direction which resists the expansion force of the compression spring member of the device.

United States Patent [191 McGregor i 1 POSITION ADJUSTMENT DEVICE WITHDEFORMATION TYPE DAMPER MEANS [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Universal Oil Products Company, Des Plaines, Ill.

22 Filed: Oct. 29, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 193,644

Eugene R. McGregor, Morris, Conn.

[ 1 Sept. 11, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A spring-biased mechanical positioningdevice of the type providing multiple positioning of anextensibleretractable member and compression spring means to effect thereturn of such member incorporates therewith a special energy absorbingdeformation-type damper means to overcome an inherent rapid actionreturn movement from the compression spring means provided in thedevice. The energy absorbing damper portion embodies the use of adeformable, elastomeric surface on an elongated member and a slidableencompassing ring member with internal tapered ball holding recess meanssuch that the ball means therein can roll freely for one direction ofrectilinear movement and, conversely, can depress the ball means intothe surface [56} References Cited of the elongated member to cause awave-form resist- UNITED S TES PATENTS ing force for that directionwhich resists the expansion 3 398 986 8/1968 Homier 297/355 frce of hcmpression sP'mg member devicel,073,l6l 9/1913 OConnor 267/9 C .2. 7..V, t V 7 1,353,514 9 1920 Boswell 269/9 (3 10 Claims, 6 Drawing FiguresPrimary Examiner-James B. Marbert Attorney-James R. Hoatson, Jr. et al.

l7 IL L L J.Z 'l I "ii lif t \l 3 '1 i /9 r l I I r i .l v i} r H I G IA l r i 8 i -2 I: I

ri\ I I 7 4 1:: fi\. 5 20 T :7 4/1 4 Z 2 J /a- L/ fig i i 2/ 22 24'PATENTEUSEH 1191s SNEEI 1 or 2 m Smut POSITION ADJUSTMENT DEVICE WITHDEFORMATION TYPE DAMPER MEANS The present invention relates to animproved springbiased positioning device with a surface deformation typedampening means integrated therewith to overcome theconventionally rapidspring return action existent in such types of devices. Moreparticularly, the improved device provides for the novel combination ofa spring-loaded positioning device with a braking or dampening meanswhich, in turn, utilizes ball or roller means in ramped surfacerecessessuch that in one direction of operation there will be adepressing of the rolling means into an elongated elastomeric surface tocreate a "wave-form" resisting force.

The present improved device is of particular use in connection withreciprocating motions or with pivoted motions, such as for effectingseat back recline adjustment. It is realized that there are many formsand types of seat back adjustment locks, especially in connection withpassenger vehicle seats. For example, the airline industry has primarilyused hydraulic lock devices for airplane seating because of easyadjustability and quiet operation in either direction. These hydrauliclocks use amovable piston and valving means to provide for a fluid toflow through or around the piston member such that it is held in adesired position with the cylinder section of the locks. However, fluidleakage hasbeen a problem with many of these locks and there isresulting high maintenance costs, as well as the possible oil damage toseat upholstry, carpeting, luggage and occasionally passenger clothing.

Mechanical locks can be quite satisfactory for seat -back adjustments inone direction (i.e., as there is movement against -a spring or otherresisting force); but, as will be realized, a springbiased lock orposition adjuster can result in a too rapid back erecting operation uponthe passenger pushing a release button.

' Actually, in connection with vehicular passenger seats,

and particularly for airplane seating, where food trays are attached tothe seat back, or seat frame, there food trays are attached to the seatback, or seat frme, there is the need to have smooth and controlled seatback movement in each direction so that a seat back will not flop or jarthe whole seat structure when being brought back 'to. an uprightposition. Although not a part of the present invention, a preferred seatlock or adjuster device will incorporate means to permit a stewardess orattendant to dress or raise all seat backs by merely pushing on them andnot resorting to the use of a release" button. In still another aspect,

which feature is embodied in the present invention, there should be atleast some energy absorption means in the lock or seat back attachmentso that the seat back does not readily move forward during a crash orduring any other seat back "breakover" situation.

With respect to "brakes," snubbihg means, checks,

dampener, and the like, it is realized that innumerable 'types and formsare presently known and that various device which incorporates amovement dampening system that, in turn, provides for the temporarydeformation of the surface of an elongated deformable member, wherebythere is a continuing resisting force for I the full spring returnmovement of such positioning device. it

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to providean integrated one direction dampener means for a spring-biased lockingdevice that provides for ball or roller means to be pressed into anelastomeric surface of an elongated member whereby a continuinghysteresis effect and wave-form resisting force can overcome theexpansion force 'of the-spring member being used in the device.

In a broad aspect, the present invention provides for a novel andimproved spring-biased positioning device, which is suitable foreffecting multiple positioning adjustment to a movable member, to havean integrated surface deforming type dampening means combined therewithsuch as to resist the rapid spring loaded return movement of a movableportion of the device, such combination comprising, connecting anelongated deformable member with an elastomeric surface to one portionof said device, and connecting a roller-holding sleeve member whichslidably encompasses said de formable member to the other portion ofsaid device, said sleeve member in turn having a plurality of spacedinternal ramped surface recess means, each of which holds a movableroller'means to engage the surface of said deformable member,such rampedrecess means being sized with respect to the roller means retainedtherein to cause the latter to be depressed radially inward into theelastomeric surface of the deformable member as there is rectilinearmovement in one direction and, conversely, permit a non-pressuring, freerolling of the roller means upon movement in the opposing direction, andthe orientation of said ramped surface recess means in said sleevemember being such as to depress said roller means and provide awave-form resisting force from the surface of said elongated deformablemember as a resistance to the expansion force of the compression springmember of the positioning device.

It is not intended to limit the present invention to any one particularform of mechanical lock, or position adjuster means, except to theextent that the present improved dampening means is especially adaptedto overcome the action of a compression spring in turn being used in thedevice to effect a return of a movable member. For example, the presentdampener means may well be integrated with a simple telescoping tubearrangement where the axial or rectilinear movement of one member withrespect to the other is against a compression spring means. Also, it isnot intended to limit the multiple position adjustment means forthepositioning device to any one type of locking mechanism. In otherwords, retractable pins, tooth and rack means, braking members,.and thelike, may well be utilized to hold the telescoping movement at a desiredposition.

Still another form of mechanical lock or positioning device mayencompass the use of a traveling-nut along with a threaded shaft or,conversely, the use of a fixed position threaded nut and a. travelingthreaded rod to move through'the fixed nut. In other words, varioustypes of means may be utilized to obtain the desired rectilinearmovement between extensible-retractable parts. Reference may. be made toU.S. Pat. Nos.

3,046,055 and 3,350,135 each of which illustrate and describe one formof position adjusting device which is particularly suitable for seatback adjustment.

With respect to the improved form dampening portion of the presentapparatus, which utilizes deformation of an elastomeric surface to inturn provide energy dissipation through hysteresis losses, there aremany variations in design and arrangement which might well be utilizedin connection with any one mechanical lock means. In certain instances,the dampener means may be integrated or combined with a locking memberin a side-by-side arrangement; however, typically, or preferably, thedampening section will be provided around or in. axial alignment withthe telescoping members of the positioning portion of the device suchthat the resistant force will be symmetrically and uniformly distributedwith respect to overcome a spring action encountered during a returnmovement of the position adjustment device.

As briefly set forth hereinbefore, the present invention makesutilization of a plurality of small balls, or roller means, to engage adeformable elastomeric surface of an elongated member such that there isa resulting continuing wave resisting force caused by the ball or rollermeans depressing into the elastomeric surfae during the rectilineartravel. Generally, the plurality of small balls will be utilized toeffect the wave-form deformation into the surface of the elongateddeformable rod member; however, where a rectangular or polygonal formrod member is used, then there may be provided a plurality of smallroller members in lieu of the small spheres. In each case, each ball orroller means -will be caged or housed within an individual pocket orrecess where there is a sloping or ramped surface above the roller meanswhereby for one direction of movement the ball or roller means can movefreely but, for

- able member.

With respect to the elastomeric surface, it may be of a highly elasticnature capable of repeated deformations without undergoing undue wear orany permanent deformation. Typically, such surface will comprise apolyurethane elastomer, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, or generally any ofthe non-thermo plastic materials unless they have been highlyplasticized. Also, various elastomeric rubber compounds may well beutilized, as for example styrcne-butadiene rubber, acrylo-nitrilerubber, siclicone rubber, and the like. Actually, any elastomericsurface which can undergo repeated deformations without taking anypermanent set can be used. Such materials have the ability to create awave-form of the material'in front of the ball member as it rolls alongthe surface and thus create the desired resistant force. Presently knowntypes of devices which utilize a principal of this nature have been usedin connection with certain special types of dampening means such as fordoor checks and the like; however, in the present invention there is theutilization of the principal in a construction integrated with amultiple position adjusting device which, in particular, can be utilizedwith seat back adjusters and the like.

Reference to the accompanying drawings and the following descriptionsthereof will serve to illustrate more clearly the present improvedcombined mechanical positioning-dampening device.

In addition, various of the drawings will illustrate modifications indesign and arrangement which may be -accomplished through the use ofvarious forms of dampener means in comination with a multiple positonadjustment device.

FIG. 1 of the drawing illustrated diagrammatically a spring biasedtelescoping tube adjustment means and an encompassing dampenerarrangement where an elongated tube with an elastomeric surface connectswith one portion of the telescoping positioning adjuster means and theouter ballretaining ring means connects with the other portion thereof.I

FIG. 2 of the drawing is a partial sectional view through the apparatusof FIG. 1 as indicated by the line 22 in the latter figure.

FIG. 3 of the drawing is a diagrammatic illustration of a seat having amovable back and an under-the-seat arrangement where a position adjustermeans is utilized in combination with an along-side" arrangement ofdampener in turn utilizing energy absorption through deformation of anelastomeric surface on a movable elongated rod member.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate diagrammatically and in somewhat more detailone arrangement of a spring biased mechanical lock utilizing a travelingnut arrangement together with an integrated dampener means where thereis wave-from resisting force generated by an elastomeric surface on amovable rod member, with such rod member being connected to anextensibleretractable moving portion from the lock means, while the ballretaining outer ring section for the dampener means in turn connectswith the fixed end portion of the lock means.

FIG. 6 of the drawing indicates in a cross-sectional diagrammatic view arectangular arrangement having small roller members in an encompassingring section in lieu of a plurality of ball means which normallyencompass a circular deformation rod member.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is indicated in adiagrammatic manner a simple form of telescoping tube position adjusterwith an outer tube member 1 having an end cap 2 with bracket or otherattachment means 3' whereby the unit may be connected to a supportmeansor to a member which will be subjected to movement. Slidably positionedwithin outer tubular member 1 there is provided an inner tube 4 with anend connecting means 5 which will be adapted to connect with a movablework piece or other member to be moved with respect to the base orstructure in turn connective with bracket 3. Also, internally withinouter tube 1, there is shown a compression spring member 6 which isadapted to be held between end cap 2 and a flanged end portion 7 oninner tubular member 4, whereby the latter will be working against thespring means 6 as there is position adjustment inward with respect toouter tubular member 1.

In order to illustrate one form of locking means, there is indicated theprovision of a pluraltiy of spaced apart holes or depressions 8 alongthe surface of inner tube member 4. The. holes 8 are adapted to receivea movable pin means 9 which in turn can be operated responsive to apush-button (not shown) and a rod means 10. Mother words, the pushing ofrod 10 through sheath means 11 will operate a lever 12 supported at pinmeans 13 such that there is a lifting of rod 9 by reason of pinconnection 14. There is also indicated a spring means 15 above movablepin or rod 9 and within a housing means 16 such that there is a normalspring biasing of rod 9 into an appropriate hole 8 in tube member 4.This type of telescoping position adjuster means, utilizing acompression spring biasing means 6,

can readily be used to advantage in connection with scat back-adjustmentsystems or with any other arrangement where it is desirable to have amultiple positioning in connection with extensible-retractableoperations.

It will, of course, be seen that as inner tube member 4 with innerflange 7 pushes inwardly within tube 1 against spring 6, that there willbe a controlled relatively slow movement by reason of the resistingaction of spring 6 while, on' the other hand, after tube 4 has beentelescoped within outer tube 1 and there is to be permitted a returnaction, or extended movement of tube 4 with respect to tube 1, thenspring 6 can exert a rapid expansion force against the inner tube andcause an undesirable and uncontrolled rapid motion for the expandingmovement. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there isprovided a deformation type dampening or resisting force available topreclude the rapid expanding action from spring 6. Specifically, thereis a continuing deforming action caused on an elastomeric surface 17 ofan outer tube member 18 which, in turn, is connected through a taperedsleeve means 19 and bolt means 20 to the outer end portion 5 for innertube 4. Encompassing tube 18 is a sleeve member 21 and ring member 22which, in turn, is provided with a plurality of spaced recesses 23, eachof which will hold a ball member 24. Each recess or ball holding zone 23has a sloping, ramped surface 25 which will cause each ball means 24 tobe wedged radially inwardly against the elastomeric surface 17 ontubular member 18, as the latter is caused to be extended outwardly withrespect to the ring member 22 or with respect to tubular member 1 of theposition adjusting section. In other words, as tubular member 18, whichis attached to tubular member 4, moves outwardly and each ball member 24is dragged to the constricted portion of ramped surface 25, there ispressure of each ball member 24 into the surface 17 to cause a resultingcontinuing wave-form hump or ridge 26 in surface 17 following alongahead of each ball member 24. This waveform deformation in theelastomeric surface provides energy dissipation through hysteresiseffect and a continuing resistant force which can efectively overcomethe expansion force of spring member 6 and, in turn, provide a desiedcontrolled outward expansion movement of the position adjusting member4.

As best shown in FIG. 2, each ball member 24 is within a recess 23 byvirture of a plurality of spaced partitioning portions 27. It is,however, not intended to limit the present invention to the utilizationof any predetermined number of ball means 24 or to any particular sizefor such ball members inasmuch as the size and number will generally bedetermined by, or correlated with, the size of the compression springmeans 6 and the spring return force'which will be exerted by suchspring. Typically, there will be a relatively large number of the ballmeans 24 in individual recesses 23 and such means spaced uniformlyaround the elastomeric surface of the elongated deformation member suchas provided by tube 1% and surface 17.. As will hereinafter be setforth, it is to be noted that the dampening means utilizing ball orroller means over an elastomeric surface need not be limited toconcentric tubular members over the body of a position adjuster sectioninasmuch as such means can be in a side-by-side relationship or in anend-to-end axial arrangement, depending upon space conditionsor-installation requirements.

It is to be realized-that the device of FIG. 1 is merely diagrammaticand variations in construction and design as well as in size may well beprovided to suit a particular position adjusting operation. For example,the present adjusting means indicates that inner tube 4 together with anouter connective deformable surface on sleeve 18 can travel a distanceLiwith respect to outer tube 1 and with respect to the fixed connectionend 3. It should also be noted that ring member 22 connects throughspaced bar means 29 to the end portion 2 and bracket 3 such that ringmember 22 and the enclosed recesses 23 with ball members 24 will be heldin a generally fixed location, whereby surface 17 will be travelinglongitudinally inwardly and outwardly with respect to ball means 24. 0fcourse, as surface 17 moves in an inward telescoping movement, ballmeans 24 will move to the enlarged area portion of each recess 23 andthere is an unobstructed free movement of the surface on tubular member18 through ring means 22 along with movement of tube member 4 withinouter tube 1. However, conversely, as the outward movement takes placeresponsive to spring action 6, there is the dragging of each ball means24 into the constricted portions of each recess means 23 and theresulting multiple deformations of surface 17 and the accompanying waves26 to cause resisting force for such outward movement.

In FIG. 3 of the drawing, there is merely indicated diagrammatically aposition adjuster means 30 being mounted at 31 to a seat base or fixedsection on seat 32 and the connection with a bracket or arm member 33 atpivot means 34 such that there can be seat back tilting responsive tomovement of seat adjuster means 30. In other words, seat back portion 35is made connective with arm 33 and pivotable about point 36 wherebyinward and outward telescopic movement of adjustable portions of thelooking or positioning device 30 will in turn cause desired positionadjustments for the seat back 35, from upright positioning to a tiltingor recline positioning, such as indicated by dashed lines 35'.

There is also indicated in FIG. 3 the utilization of an along-sidedampening means 37 in connection with said lock 311, whereby a springaction utilized within lock 30 will be dampened and provided withcontrolled expansion movement. In accordance with the present invention,the lock or position adjuster 30, which will be of a mechanical andspring-biased type suitable for seat back adjustment may be of any oneof a number of mechanical locking types. For example, the lock orpositioning portion, as indicated in FIG. 3, may be of a type indicatedin FIG. 1 of the drawing or of any other extensible-retractable designwhich utilizes compression spring biasing to effect the expanding returnaction force within the device.

For purposes of illustrating variations, a different type of positionadjuster mechanism is illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawing, with suchposition adjuster meansutilizing the principal of a traveling threadednut on an accompanying rotatable threaded rod. Specifically, withrespect 'to FIG. 4, there is shown an outer tubular-form house member 38and an inner slidably movable tubular member 39 which is permitted tomove back and forth in a telescopic manner responsive to force exertedon the end of tube member 39 at bracket or cevis connector means 40.Diagrammatically, there is indicated an internally threaded nut 41 heldwithin the inner end portion of tube member 39 and adapted to moverectilinearly along threaded rod 42. Preferably, threading within nut 41and externally on rod 42 will be of a steep nature in order that theaxial pushing of the thread nut 41 will readily turn rod 42 and movetherealong in a low-friction manner. Specifically, in this instance, therectilinear movement of tube 39 and nut 41, which will cause therotatable movement of rod 42, will also rotate connecting shaft member43 in a bushing member 44in turn held within a portion of the endhousing section 45.

In connection with movable threaded shaft or traveling nut arrangements,where there is to be position adjustment and locking means, there may bevarious types of brake means or lock means utilized to hold at least oneof the movable parts and effect a desired locked position. In thisembodiment, there is indicated diagrammatically the use of a rotatingdrum member 46 around an end portion of shaft member 43 to provide alocking means. The durm means 46 is positioned beyond a roller bearing47 and is held to the shaft 43 by threaded nut 48. The circumferentialsurface of drum 46 is, in turn, provided with a plurality of holes orindentures 49 adapted to receive a movable pin member 50 and thusprovide a lock arrangement. Various means may be made for raising orlifting pin member 50 as may be desired to-make changes in telescopicrelationship between tube member 39 and outer tube 38. However, in thepresent diagrammatic drawing, there is shown rod means 51 connecting at52 with a rocker arm member 53 which, in turn, connects at 54 with pinmember 50 such that the latter may be rasied responsive to an inwardpushing action of rod 51. A small compression spring 55 at the inner endof rod 51 provides for the spring biasing of the lever arm 53 and pin 50into one of the plurality of recesses 49. Externally around both theouter sleeve 38 and innner tubular member 39, there is positioned acompression spring 56 which is held between outwardly extending flangeportions 57 and 58 such that an inward telescoping movement of tube 39will cause a compression action on spring 56 and a resulting resistingforce as inward positioning adjustments are made for the rectilinearrelationship between tube members 38 and 39.

Conversely, as there are outwardly extending positionings made betweentube members 38 and 39, there will be the expansion action of springmember 56 urging a' normal rapid outward movement of tube member 39except for the operation of dampening means as providcd by thealong-side dampener means 60.

In this embodiment, there is an elongated bar or rod member 6I with adeformable elastomeric surface 62 that connects through attachmentbracket means 63 to an outer end portion 39 of tubular member 39. Thereis also an outer ring member 64 connective with an elongated sleeveportion 65, which slidably encompasses surface 62, whereby a pluralityof ball members the manner set forth in connection with the descriptionof FIG. I. Specifically, in the present arrangement, ring member 64connects through attachment bracket means 67 to an end connector portion59 on housing portion 45' in turn encompassing rotatable drum portion46. Thus, ring portion 64 with ball means 66 and spaced recesses 68 willbe held in a longitudinally fixed position along with outer tubularmember 38 and connector means 59 while the rod member 61, withelastomeric surface 62, will move longitudinally and rectilinearlywithin ring 64 along with the longitudinal and rectilinear motion oftubular member 39. Each recess 68 within ring member 64 will have asloping wall or ramped surface 69 so as to provide pressure for eachball member 66 against surface 62 as the latter moves longitudinallyoutwardly with respect to ring member 64 and, conversely, will providenon-deforming, free rolling space for each ball member 66 as thedeformable surface rod member 61 moves inwardly with respect to ringmember 64.

In each case, the sizing of the recesses 68, the slope for each surface69, and the sizing of the plurality of ball means 66 will be such as topermit the free rolling of each ball or, alternatively, to cause awedging thereof and deformation into elastomeric surface 62 whereby aplurality of waves, such as 70, can serve to assist the spring action ofcompression spring means 56 during all expansible movements of thepositioning adjusting section of the device.

The apparatus of FIG. 4 is of specific advantage in being utilized inconnection with seat back adjustment means, such as indicated for thelock 'or position adjusting means 30 in FIG. 3 of the drawing. However,other position adjusting uses may well be found for this type of unit.

Further, it should be realized that the construction and arrangement ofFIG. 4 is merely diagrammatic and not in any way intended to be limitingas to the only construction of a traveling-nut type of position adjusteror as to the only braking or locking means which can be used to effectthe holding of a desired position. The along-side arrangement of thedapening means in combination with the position adjusting section isalso diagrammatic and is not inteneded to be in any way limitinginasmuch as concentric or end-to-end relationships may be used and aregenerally preferred in order to provide more uniform dampening action inovercoming large compression spring forces.

FIG. 5 of the drawing is illustrative of a crosssectional view, as alongline 55 in FIG. 4, and better shows that each ball member 66 is retainedwithin its own separate ramped surface recess by virtue of a pluralityof partitioning means 71 being provided between the spaces 68 for eachball means. As hereinbefore set forth, each ball should be constructedof a relatively hard material such as steel, or other hard metal,although hard plastic" materials might be usable, whereby there can bethe ready deformation of the elastomeric surface on the elongateddeformable member being arranged to move inwardly and outwardly withrespect to the ball members in the encompassing ring.

Also, as hereinbefore noted, the elastomeric surface in each instanceshould be readily deformable from the pressure of each ballmeans;.however, it should not be of a material that will take apermanent set. Typically, the rod or-tube with the elastomeric surfacewill be of a circular corss-section and a plurality of spaced balls willbe used in encompassing spaced recess means.

means and the elastomeric surface could well be made on a bar or tube ofrectangular fonn, or of other polygonal form.

Reference to FIG. 6 of the drawing indicates diagrammatically how asquare or rectangular form bar 72, with elastomeric surface 73, can beencompassed within a rectangular form ring or housing 74 which in turnis adapted to hold small roller means 75 within recesses 76. Each recess76 will in turn have a ramped or sloped surface 77 to be above eachroller means 75 and provide for the pressuring of each roller means intosurface 73 or, conversely, permit space for the free rolling of eachroller member 75 for the opposite movement of surface 73 through ringportion 74.

Still other configurations of defonnable members and various designs forencompassing ring members may be devised within the scope of the presentinvention; however, those that have been illustrated are believed to beindicative of the fact that differenet designs andarrangements. can bemade within the scope of the present invention. Also, wheredesiredgarrangements can be made whereby the ring member moves alongwith a movable positioning member and with respect to the elastomericsurface although it is generally preferable to have the deformablesurface effect movement with respect to a fixed position encompassingring which holds the spaced balls and sloped surface recesses. i i

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a spring-biased positioning device suitablefor-providing multiple position adjustment to a movable member and acompression spring is provided to effect a return movement for anextensible-retractable portion of such device, the improved formablemember, such ramped recessmeans being sized with respect to the rollermeans retained therein to cause-the latter to be depressed radiallyinward into the elastomeric surface of the deformable member as there isrectilinear movement in one direction and, conversely, permit anon-pressuring, free rolling of the roller means uponmovement in theopposing direction, and the orientation of said ramped surface recessmeans in said sleeve member being such as to depress said roller meansand provide a wave-form resisting force from the surface of saidelongated deformable member which resists the expansion force of thecompression spring member of the positioning device.

2. The positioning device of claim 1 further characterized in that saidextensible-retractable portion thereof is adapted to telescope withrespect to an adjacent tubular. member and a compression spring isutilized to provide an extending movement between such portions.

3. The positioningdevice of claim 1 further charac terized in thatathreaded-nut member and a threaded rod memberarein a threadedengagement with one another, whereby one of such threaded members maybeextensible and retractable with respect to the other,

and said compression spring is positioned betweenrsaid members in amanner to assist in an extending movement therebetween.

4. The positioning device of claim 1 further characterized in that boththe elastomeric surface deformable member and the encompassingroller-holding sleeve member are concentrically arranged around theextensible-retractable portion of such device.

5. The positioning device of claim 1 further characterized in that boththe elastomeric surface deformable member and the encompassingroller-holding sleeve member are in a side-by-side arrangement withrespect to the extensible-retractable portion of such device.

6. The positioning device of claim 1 further characterized in that saidroller means within said ramped surface recess means comprisesspherical-shaped ball means of a hard material capable of engaginganddeforming the elastomeric surface of the elongated defonnable member.

7. The positioning device of claim 1 further characterized in that saidroller means within said ramped surface recess means are smallrod-shaped rollers of ahard material capable of engaging and deformingthe elastomeric surface of the elongated deformable member which is of apolygonal corss-section.

8. The positioning device of claim 1 further characterized in that suchdevice is connectedbetween a fixed base portion of a seat and a movablemember of a movable seat back adjusting system, whereby there ismultiple position adjustment for the back of such seat.

9. A spring-biased seat back positioning device having asurfacedeforming type of dampening means integrated therewith suitable toresist a compressionspring return movement of at least oneextensible-retractable member which comprises in combination, a firstmember for attachment to a non-movable portionof a seat, a second memberrectilinearly movable relative to the first member and having means forattachment to a movable seat back member, with one member having anon-rotating threaded part and the other of said. members rotatablycarrying a part having threadingi to cooperate with the fixed threadedpart, the threading of such parts being sufficiently steep that axialforce between members will cause a rotation of the rotatable part andtravel of one such part, a locking means connected toat least onethreaded part to preclude rectilinear movement between said members, acompression spring member positioned between said first and secondmembers in a manner to urge an extended relative positioning of suchmember, an elongated deform:- able member with a deformable elastomericsurface connected to one of first said members, a roller-holding sleevemember which slidably encompasses said elongated deformable member andconnects to the other of said first said members, said sleeve memberhaving internal ramped surface recess means therein in turn holdingroller means for engaging the surface of said deformable member, suchramped surface recess means being sized with respect to the roller meansretained therein to cause the latter to be depressed radially inwardinto the elastomeric surface of the deformable member as there isrectilinear movement in one of the compression spring member in thepositioning device.

10. The device of claim 9 further characterized in that both theelastomeric surface deformable member and the encompassingroller-holding sleeve member are concentrically arranged around theextensibleretractable portion of such device. i k k :r w

1. In combination with a spring-biased positioning device suitable forproviding multiple position adjustment to a movable member and acompression spring is provided to effect a return movement for anextensible-retractable portion of such device, the improved constructionand arrangement for dampening the spring loaded return movement of themovable portion of said device, which comprises, an elongatedelastomeric surfaced deformable member connected to one portion of saiddevice, and connecting a roller-holding sleeve member which slidablyencompasses said deformable member to the other portion of said device,said sleeve member in turn having a plurality of spaced internal rampedsurface recess means each of which hold a roller means to engage thesurface of said deformable member, such ramped recess means being sizedwith respect to the roller means retained therein to cause the latter tobe depressed radially inward into the elastomeric surface of thedeformable member as there is rectilinear movement in one direction and,conversely, permit a nOn-pressuring, free rolling of the roller meansupon movement in the opposing direction, and the orientation of saidramped surface recess means in said sleeve member being such as todepress said roller means and provide a wave-form resisting force fromthe surface of said elongated deformable member which resists theexpansion force of the compression spring member of the positioningdevice.
 2. The positioning device of claim 1 further characterized inthat said extensible-retractable portion thereof is adapted to telescopewith respect to an adjacent tubular member and a compression spring isutilized to provide an extending movement between such portions.
 3. Thepositioning device of claim 1 further characterized in that athreaded-nut member and a threaded rod member are in a threadedengagement with one another, whereby one of such threaded members may beextensible and retractable with respect to the other, and saidcompression spring is positioned between said members in a manner toassist in an extending movement therebetween.
 4. The positioning deviceof claim 1 further characterized in that both the elastomeric surfacedeformable member and the encompassing roller-holding sleeve member areconcentrically arranged around the extensible-retractable portion ofsuch device.
 5. The positioning device of claim 1 further characterizedin that both the elastomeric surface deformable member and theencompassing roller-holding sleeve member are in a side-by-sidearrangement with respect to the extensible-retractable portion of suchdevice.
 6. The positioning device of claim 1 further characterized inthat said roller means within said ramped surface recess means comprisesspherical-shaped ball means of a hard material capable of engaging anddeforming the elastomeric surface of the elongated deformable member. 7.The positioning device of claim 1 further characterized in that saidroller means within said ramped surface recess means are smallrod-shaped rollers of a hard material capable of engaging and deformingthe elastomeric surface of the elongated deformable member which is of apolygonal corss-section.
 8. The positioning device of claim 1 furthercharacterized in that such device is connected between a fixed baseportion of a seat and a movable member of a movable seat back adjustingsystem, whereby there is multiple position adjustment for the back ofsuch seat.
 9. A spring-biased seat back positioning device having asurface deforming type of dampening means integrated therewith suitableto resist a compression spring return movement of at least oneextensible-retractable member which comprises in combination, a firstmember for attachment to a non-movable portion of a seat, a secondmember rectilinearly movable relative to the first member and havingmeans for attachment to a movable seat back member, with one memberhaving a non-rotating threaded part and the other of said membersrotatably carrying a part having threading to cooperate with the fixedthreaded part, the threading of such parts being sufficiently steep thataxial force between members will cause a rotation of the rotatable partand travel of one such part, a locking means connected to at least onethreaded part to preclude rectilinear movement between said members, acompression spring member positioned between said first and secondmembers in a manner to urge an extended relative positioning of suchmember, an elongated deformable member with a deformable elastomericsurface connected to one of first said members, a roller-holding sleevemember which slidably encompasses said elongated deformable member andconnects to the other of said first said members, said sleeve memberhaving internal ramped surface recess means therein in turn holdingroller means for engaging the surface of said deformable member, suchramped surface recess means being sized with respect to the roller meansretained therein to cause the latter to be depressed radially inwardinto the elastomeric surFace of the deformable member as there isrectilinear movement in one direction and, conversely, permitnon-depressed free rolling of the roller means upon movement in theopposing direction, and orientation of the slope of said ramped surfacerecess means in said sleeve member with respect to said compressionspring member being such as to depress said ball means and provide awave-form resisting force from the surface of said elongated deformablemember which resists the expansion force of the compression springmember in the positioning device.
 10. The device of claim 9 furthercharacterized in that both the elastomeric surface deformable member andthe encompassing roller-holding sleeve member are concentricallyarranged around the extensible-retractable portion of such device.